I. YES: you contemn the perjured maid Who all your favourite hopes betray'd: Nor, though her heart should home return, Her tuneful tongue its falsehood mourn, Her winning eyes your faith implore, Would you her hand receive again, Or once dissemble your disdain, Or listen to the siren's theme, Or stoop to love: since now esteem, And confidence, and friendship is no more. II. Yet tell me, Phædria, tell me why, When summoning your pride you try To meet her looks with cool neglect, Or cross her walk with slight respect, (For so is falsehood best repaid,) Whence do your cheeks indignant glow? Why is your struggling tongue so slow? What means that darkness on your brow? As if with all her broken vow You meant the fair apostate to upbraid? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SALLY IN OUR ALLEY by HENRY CAREY (1687-1743) COMMENDATORY VERSE FOR THE FAERIE QUEENE by H. B. CHARACTERS: MARTHA JENNINGS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD S. GREGORIE NAZIANZEN by JOSEPH BEAUMONT THE ASYLUM by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |